This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

The best paint for repainting Transformers

Post all your customized Transformers here. Whether it's a small mod or a true kitbash, we'd love to see it!

The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby OmarJT82 » Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:18 pm

Does anybody know what brand/type of paint is the best for repainting Transformers action figures?

I'm looking for one that does not chip or rub off when a particular repainted part of moves against an unpainted part of a figure and/or when you transform a repainted figure and that works well with a sealer.
OmarJT82
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 581
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:07 pm

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby JustPlainME » Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:19 am

Motto: "They never saw it coming."
Weapon: Slingshot
I believe Krylon for Plastics is good. Don't know if it's the best though.
The TRUTH about Michael Bay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DCa4DwpWAk
User avatar
JustPlainME
Micromaster
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:23 am
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 9
Endurance: 4
Rank: 3
Courage: 10
Firepower: 9
Skill: 7

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby LiKwid » Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:09 am

Motto: "When In doubt..Invert polarities!!!!"
Weapon: V-Lock Rifle, V-Lock Cannon
It really comes down to what you want to spend. Testors is what i use for a majority of my repaints. I occasinally use model master as well but the paints are a tad bit more exspensive. I recently started using Games workshop paints and they are IMO superior. They dry fast and are very sturdy when it comes to chipping and cracking.. I always spray my newly repainted figures down with a clear glosscoat so the paint is protected..

You can find the GW paints at most comic nbook stores and some hobby stores..It's a Uk based company and they do great busniess when shipping overseas..
Counterpunch wrote:FP sure does provide some F'd up head.

Sell me your Beast wars stuff!!!!
Transformers Earth wars-SiNxBruticus
User avatar
LiKwid
Gestalt
Posts: 2103
News Credits: 8
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:01 pm
Location: San Antonio Tx
Buy from LiKwid on eBay
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 5
Endurance: 10
Rank: 10+
Courage: 10
Firepower: 6
Skill: 10

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Prime Riblet » Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:39 am

Motto: "Mottos! We need no stinking mottos!"
Weapon: Double-Barreled, Armor-Piercing Particle Beam Cann...
Thanks for the information. I would really like to get into all of this as well. I have a question too.

How do most (good) kitbashers and repaiters physically paint the toy? Is it best to take it apart and paint pieces individually, or do most people leave the figure together. Sounds like dumb questions, but I really don't know how most people do it. Are airbrushes actually just that precise?

What are the best ways to start doing this stuff without spending a ton of money and then realizing I suck at it and wasted a bunch of cash?
Image
User avatar
Prime Riblet
Gestalt
Posts: 2084
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:08 am
Location: Rochester, MN U.S.A.
Strength: ???
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 4
Endurance: 8
Rank: 6
Courage: 8
Firepower: 9
Skill: 7

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Mykltron » Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:52 am

Motto: "If I win again I'm still the champion. If you win HAH! that's just impossible.

Weapon: tea cup."
Everyone knows what the best is, but what one person knows is different from what another person knows! To clarify: it's a matter of taste.

ACRYLIC
-Pros: hard wearing, doesn't need varnish. Good metallic finishes.
-Cons: difficult to wash off brush. Tend to dry out once pot is opened. Needs lots of shaking and stirring before and during use. Needs a thinner to water it down (for washes etc) and a lot of shaking and stirring.

WATER BASED
-Pros: easy to work with and wash off brushes. Easy to water down or mix (just use water and a -quick shake! Takes a few seconds.) Reeves paints are very cheap and come in large tubes and are as thick as toothpaste. Put in a pot with however much water you want, quick shake and you're good to go.
Cons: needs to be varnished to protect it. The only good metallic silvers I've found are Games Workshop. I can't find any water based metallic gold/copper etc that are any good but that's my taste and not necessarily yours.

If parts rub then any paint will wear off over time. You'll need to trim or sand them down.
Image

Why not take a look at My TF Repaints? Updated 23rd January 2015
User avatar
Mykltron
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5979
News Credits: 9
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:43 am
Location: Nearby. Watching.

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Skyfire77 » Sun Apr 04, 2010 8:48 am

Motto: "Science can't move forward without heaps!"
Weapon: Particle Beam Cannon
Prime Riblet wrote:Thanks for the information. I would really like to get into all of this as well. I have a question too.

How do most (good) kitbashers and repaiters physically paint the toy? Is it best to take it apart and paint pieces individually, or do most people leave the figure together. Sounds like dumb questions, but I really don't know how most people do it. Are airbrushes actually just that precise?

What are the best ways to start doing this stuff without spending a ton of money and then realizing I suck at it and wasted a bunch of cash?



I always take them apart. It makes it easier to paint, especially in areas otherwise hard to reach. Also, you're less likely get moving parts painted stuck.

Get yourself a third hand or some hemostats to hold the parts while you paint. Clothes pins will work in a pinch too.

Honestly, I've never used a airbrush. I've found you can do excellent work with just a few different styles of brushes, with rattle cans for area coverage.
Image
User avatar
Skyfire77
Headmaster
Posts: 1127
News Credits: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:03 pm
Location: Bethel Park, PA
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: 10
Endurance: 6
Rank: 7
Courage: 8
Firepower: 8
Skill: 10

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Prime Riblet » Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:06 am

Motto: "Mottos! We need no stinking mottos!"
Weapon: Double-Barreled, Armor-Piercing Particle Beam Cann...
Awesome. If I get something together worth showing, I will have to post. First, I need to do some practicing. Thank you for the great information. :D
Image
User avatar
Prime Riblet
Gestalt
Posts: 2084
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:08 am
Location: Rochester, MN U.S.A.
Strength: ???
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 4
Endurance: 8
Rank: 6
Courage: 8
Firepower: 9
Skill: 7

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Amelie » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:22 pm

Motto: "I-I'm sorry.. I-I'll be going now.."
Weapon: No Weapon
For anyone suggesting Gamesworkshop paints, I can also suggest using Reaper Miniatures Paints which are of almost identical quality in a different colour set. Also note - they do pre-mixed coloured metallics.
Burn wrote:Let it be known, I murdered Amelie.
Accidentally.


Back from the dead, like some curious zombie amalgam...
User avatar
Amelie
Godmaster
Posts: 1817
News Credits: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2003 1:44 pm
Location: Brighton, England
Alt Mode: Unicrons Transformation Cog
Strength: 3
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 6
Endurance: 4
Rank: 3
Courage: 5
Firepower: 1
Skill: 10

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Mykltron » Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:04 pm

Motto: "If I win again I'm still the champion. If you win HAH! that's just impossible.

Weapon: tea cup."
Amelie wrote:<span>For anyone suggesting Gamesworkshop paints, I can also suggest using [url=<a href="http://www.reapermini]Reaper" class="smarterwiki-linkify">http://www.reapermini.com/]Reaper</a> Miniatures Paints[/url] which are of almost identical quality in a different colour set. Also note - they do pre-mixed coloured metallics.</span>


Your link didn't work so I've corrected it in the quote. Does anyone know if these can be purchased in the UK? I'm interested in the pre-mixed metallics.
Image

Why not take a look at My TF Repaints? Updated 23rd January 2015
User avatar
Mykltron
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5979
News Credits: 9
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:43 am
Location: Nearby. Watching.

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Skyfire77 » Sun Apr 11, 2010 9:43 am

Motto: "Science can't move forward without heaps!"
Weapon: Particle Beam Cannon
I haven't been able to find anything so far. The do ship internationally through their site, but you're going to pay a lot in taxes.
Image
User avatar
Skyfire77
Headmaster
Posts: 1127
News Credits: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:03 pm
Location: Bethel Park, PA
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: 10
Endurance: 6
Rank: 7
Courage: 8
Firepower: 8
Skill: 10

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby SonOfNemesis » Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:13 pm

Motto: "The throne never lasts forever and the day you get knocked down you'll be looking up at me...and its coming"
Weapon: Slingshot
Well, I have been custom painting T-Formers for some time now (you can check out my website if you wish: http://www.shadowcmndr.blogspot.com). I only use Acrylic paints. They dry very fast (within minutes) and they are water-based and so after painting, spray some windex in a small cup, put your brushes in it for about 1 minute, then rinse with warm water. Cleans them all right up and works like a charm.

Enamel paint on the other hand is rather difficult to clean and takes for ever to dry (24 hours sometimes). Plus you have to use paint thinner to clean up afterward.

If you don't want rubbing or chipping...thee ONLY way you're going to prevent rubs and chips is PREPARATION. You must prepare your transformer before you paint it. So, here's what you need to do.

1) Clean the figure. Use soap and water, wash it up, then let it air dry for a day.
2) Sand it down. Use 600 grit sandpaper to rough up the plastic surfaces (ALL of the surfaces). You may take it apart first, then sand. Taking it apart will result in the best sanding and painting.
3) After you sand it, prime it with black or grey primer. Use Krylon flat black or Krylon grey primer for this. Do light sprays (too much paint will cause rubs). Keep in mind, you already sanded it first so you really don't need to add too much primer.
4) After priming and after it is dried, transform the figure at least 2-3 times. You will start to see rubs appear and paint chipping on the primer. This is good. It is good because now you know where to focus your sanding on. So, start sanding again. When done sanding again, prime just those spots that rubbed with a little bit of primer (not too much).
5) Now that you repaired the rub spots, you can start painting. If you use a brush (remember thin coats) and if you spray paint (also do thin coats). The ideal tool to use is an airbrush (you can get a good set up for about $125 (brush and air tank). Having an airbrush is a MASSIVE difference between spray painting out of a can. It's really worth buying an airbrush.
6) If you don't have an airbrush, just remember thin coats.
7) Once the paint applications are done, let the figure dry for about 3-5 days. THEN, carefully transform it (avoid fast transformation and forcing parts - it will rub (even if prepared properly) if you force parts together). Once you transformed it, transform it back. You will see that either your sanding paid off and no rubs!! OR you will have to do some more light sanding and touching up.
8) When done, spray it with a sealer of some sort if you wish. I don't seal mine anymore because if you prepare it right, you won't have to seal it.
9) Once you have completely finished painting your figure, let it fully dry for 2 weeks before regular use or posing. Acrylics fully cure after several days and the difference of cured acrylics vs lightly cured acrylics is quite big.
10) I use Tamiya or Model Master. Games Workshop is good too. * Acrylics all the way!
Accepting 'limited' commissions. Feel free to visit my website: http://www.xracercustomfigures.webs.com and contact me at Xracer_Customs@yahoo.com for your next XR custom!

Visit me on Youtube for cool customs videos: 6G96GT
SonOfNemesis
Micromaster
Posts: 70
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:29 am
Location: Southern New England
Buy from SonOfNemesis on eBay
Strength: 10+
Intelligence: N/A
Speed: N/A
Endurance: N/A
Rank: N/A
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 10+
Skill: 10+

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Amelie » Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:05 pm

Motto: "I-I'm sorry.. I-I'll be going now.."
Weapon: No Weapon
Mykltron wrote:I'm interested in the pre-mixed metallics.


It seems like you'll have to use the US website, but I personally plan on ordering some models and paints from them myself soon - when I'm ready (which may be a couple of months), I can send you a PM to ask which colours you'd like and include them in my order and charge you the costs only, if you like - to save on shipping and poss VAT screwings. ;)
Burn wrote:Let it be known, I murdered Amelie.
Accidentally.


Back from the dead, like some curious zombie amalgam...
User avatar
Amelie
Godmaster
Posts: 1817
News Credits: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2003 1:44 pm
Location: Brighton, England
Alt Mode: Unicrons Transformation Cog
Strength: 3
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 6
Endurance: 4
Rank: 3
Courage: 5
Firepower: 1
Skill: 10

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby gbm » Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:20 am

I'd like to repaint KnockOut's wheels gold. Anyone have any advice on how to properly do this? (I've never painted a transformer before)
gbm
Fuzor
Posts: 227
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:59 pm

Re: The best paint for repainting Transformers

Postby Seibertron » Sat May 14, 2016 12:31 pm

Motto: "'Til All Are One!"
Weapon: Twin Shock-Concussion Missiles
Hello from 4 years into the future! ;)

This is a great topic. Off to buy some more acrylic paints for BotCon 2016 Ratchet. :D
Image
User avatar
Seibertron
Site Owner
Posts: 13547
News Credits: 3552
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2001 5:17 pm
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Watch Seibertron on YouTube
Buy from Seibertron on eBay
Alt Mode: Supersonic Cybertronian Jet
Strength: 10
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 7
Endurance: 9
Rank: 10+
Courage: 8
Firepower: 5
Skill: 10+


Return to Customizations

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 RI 1:25 IDW Comics 2007 3RI (CA) photo 230323"
Transformers MOVIE ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "REVOLUTION TRANSFORMERS ONE-SHOT Sub Cover IDW Comics 2016 (CA) Griffith 230124"
REVOLUTION TRANSFO ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #31 Marvel Comics 1987 (W/A) Budiansky (A) Perlin 231222K"
NEW!
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #5 Cover B IDW Comic Book 2019 BOLD NEW ERA SIEGE 5B (CA) Whitman"
TRANSFORMERS #5 Co ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #33 RE IDW Comics 2014 Giant Robot 210322A"
Transformers ROBOT ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #16 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2022 MAR220506 16RI (CA) Stone"
TRANSFORMERS BEAST ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #42 Marvel Comics 1988 (W) Budiansky (A/CA) Delbo 210422B"
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #36 IDW Comics 2014 Days of Deception 200211b"
Transformers ROBOT ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS GENERATION 2 #3 Marvel Comics 1994 (W) Furman (CA) Yaniger 230915L"
TRANSFORMERS GENER ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #20 Marvel Comics 1986 (A/CA) Trimpe (W) Budiansky 210422A"
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE #3 Marvel Comics 1987 (A/CA) Perlin (W) Macchio 230915S"
TRANSFORMERS THE M ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers Wreckers TREAD & CIRCUITS #4 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2022 4RI"
Transformers Wreck ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #21 Marvel Comics 1986 (CA) Trimpe (W) Budiansky 231010Z"
NEW!
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers PRIME DIRECTIVE #2 Vol 1 Dreamwave Comics 2002 G1 Decepticon cover"
Transformers PRIME ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers Attacker 15 Kramer Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Authentics Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 11 Deluxe Class Movie 4 Lockdown" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 08 Leader Class Movie 1 Decepticon Blackout" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 07 Leader Class Movie 4 Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Titans Return Repugnus, Dastard, and Solus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Slug" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Toys Megatron Cyberverse Ultimate Class Action Figure - Repeatable Fusion Mega Shot Action Attack Move - Toys for Kids 6 and Up, 11.5-inch" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: The Last Knight 1-Step Turbo Changer Cogman" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Titan Master Hyperfire and Blurr" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: The Last Knight -- Knight Armor Turbo Changer Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 02 Deluxe Class Movie 3 Decepticon Stinger" on AMAZON